Mauro Icardi and the strikers Arsenal could demand in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang transfer talks

Mauro Icardi has been suggested as a possible Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang replacement in a swap deal (Image: 2020 Xavier Laine)

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It looks increasingly likely that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will leave Arsenal after the 2019/20 campaign is concluded.

The forward, who was named club captain earlier this season, is out of contract in the summer of 2021 and - as previously reported by football.london - talks over extending his deal have not taken place this season.

Since arriving at the Emirates from Borussia Dortmund in January 2018, Aubameyang has struck 61 goals in 97 matches and shared the 2018/19 Premier League golden boot award.

He is one of Europe’s most prolific marksmen which is why Arsenal can’t afford to lose him for nothing in a little over 12 months' time.

Yet if and when the Gabon international departs, he will need to be replaced. And finding a forward to match the 30-year-old’s output will not be easy.

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There are, however, options Arsenal could turn to. They wouldn’t come cheap but the Gunners could attempt to use Aubameyang as a makeweight in any deal.

Mauro Icardi

The Argentine is a controversial figure but there is no doubt that as a pure finisher, a ruthless goalscorer, there are few better in European football.

Icardi is currently on loan at Paris Saint-Germain from Inter Milan and has struck 20 goals in 31 appearances for the French side, who were named Ligue 1 champions when the campaign was officially halted at the end of April.

PSG have an option to buy the 27-year-old for £62m this summer. Yet it’s one they don’t planon taking. And that will leave Icardi in limbo.

Inter vice-president Javier Zanetti told ESPN last month (April) that he doesn’t think the striker has a future at San Siro. If that is the case Icardi will once again be on the move.

Juventus have been linked. Napoli, too. But with Inter reportedly interested in Aubameyang, Arsenal could move to the front of the queue. They may not even have to pay that much to land him, either.

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Arsenal value Aubameyang at around £56m, according to reports. With Icardi’s valuation set at close to £60m, the Gunners could attempt a straight swap deal.

Icardi wouldn’t be a like-for-like replacement for Aubameyang but he has scored almost 150 goals in the last seven seasons for Inter and PSG. It’s a record too good to ignore.

Luka Jovic

After a stellar 2018/19 campaign with Eintracht Frankfurt, Jovic joined Real Madrid last summer in a move worth £55m.

Many felt the Serbian would be the long-term heir to Karim Benzema at the Bernabeu but just two goals in 24 appearances has underwhelmed Zinedine Zidane and numerous stories have surfaced which claim Real are prepared to cut their losses this summer.

It would be an undoubted blow for Jovic yet it’s a situation Arsenal could take advantage of.

Arsenal during the break

The 22-year-old has endured a miserable season in Spain but he proved at Eintracht that he is an elite-level forward. When confident, he is an excellent finisher, can link together attacks and is an effective presser.

And, once again, Arsenal could attempt to use Aubameyang as a makeweight as Real Madrid have been linked with a move for the Arsenal captain in the Spanish press.

Antoine Griezmann

Optimistic, yes. However, Griezmann has struggled during his first season as a Barcelona player and AS have reported the La Liga champions could attempt to sell the French star this summer.

Barca would be prepared to cut ties with Griezmann in order to raise funds for Inter Milan forward Lautaro Martinez. But if a deal for the Argentine is too expensive - his contract contains a £99m buyout clause - they may revive their interest in Aubameyang, who was linked with a loan move to the Camp Nou in January.

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